Books published by publisher Chicago Natural History Museum

An instant bestseller in 1859, few books have had such a revolutionary impact and left such a lasting impression as On the Origin of Species. Possibly the most important and challenging scientific book ever published, Darwin's language remains surprisingly modern and direct. It is presented here in a faithful yet generously detailed facsimile edition. The text is taken from the second edition (1860), which incorporated some minor corrections but is otherwise the purest distillation of Darwin's original vision. It includes a new foreword as well as an introductory appendix, An Historical Sketch of the Recent Progress of Opinion on the Origin, taken from the third edition (1861).

A fun and informative introduction to life in the world’s oceans, packed with fascinating facts, puzzles, games, and 100 reusable stickers Written and designed for younger readers, this book contains stickers of fish, mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates, from the great white shark to the tiny seahorse. The stickers are accompanied by fun learning pages on the behavior and habitats of the different animals, which explain what they look like, where they live, how they move, and what they eat. There are also some exciting puzzles and games, including a spot-the-difference puzzle, and readers can create their own underwater scene by adding stickers to a colorful double-page landscape spread. Perfect for kids who want to know more about the amazing array of creatures that live underwater, the book is fully checked and approved by the department of zoology at the Natural History Museum, London.

With flattened bodies, opposed feet, independently swivelling eyes, a prehensile tail, and the ability to change colour to match their background, chameleons are both fascinating and charismatic. Chameleons is the first popular guide to this extraordinary animal group. This fully illustrated book begins by exploring chameleon evolution and classification, describing how they fit into life's evolutionary tree and revealing their close relations. It discusses the variations in size, shape, colour and markings among the 173 species and explains why chameleons look like they do. There follows chapters on reproduction and development, food and feeding, habitat and distribution as well as how chameleons defend themselves against predators. The final chapter examines the relationship between chameleons and humans, from their occurrence in mythology and superstition to worldwide conservation work and keeping chameleons as pets. Drawing on their vast experience, the authors provide an illuminating insight into the lives of these unusual animals, their natural habitats and their care and breeding in captivity.

A colorful and informative introduction to some of the most common rocks and minerals, packed with amazing facts, fun puzzles and games, and more than 100 reusable stickers Ideal for younger readers, this beautiful sticker book showcases stones from the tiger’s eye and leopard skin stone to rubies, sapphires, diamonds, emeralds, and many more. The stickers are accompanied by fun learning pages with information on how rocks and minerals form, what they are made into, and how to identify them, as well as lots of bite-size facts about their size, color, and origin. Readers can put their knowledge to the test with some puzzles and games, including a coloring activity and rocky maze, and create their own scenes by adding stickers to a colorful double page landscape spread. The book is fully checked and approved by the department of zoology at the Natural History Museum, London. The museum’s world-class collections of minerals, ores, meteorites, rocks, and soils include specimens from Mars and the moon, and from the earliest bodies that helped to form the solar system 4.56 billion years ago.

A fun and informative introduction to fossils, packed with fascinating facts, puzzles, games, and 100 reusable stickersThis colorful activity book is crammed with 100 reuseable stickers of fossilized plants and animals that lived a long time ago, from ancient sea creatures and dinosaur claws to whole cockroaches preserved in amber. The stickers are accompanied by informative sections on how fossils form, the different types of fossil that can be found, and what they can tell us about what the world was like millions, or even billions, of years ago. There is plenty of fossil fun to be found too, with some exciting games including a dot-to-dot puzzle and a dinosaur maze. The book contains bite-size facts about many of the creatures featured, so young children can discover what fossils actually are and what they can look like in a fun and engaging way. They can also create their own fossil dig by adding stickers to a fantastic double page spread.

I am a very lucky person. It is my job to take boys and girls on tours in a great museum. What a marvelous time we have as we wander through the halls where rocks and minerals are exhibited. We look at a case filled with sparkling quartz crystals, we move along to the brilliantly colored petrified logs, and with reluctance we leave the fluorescent minerals. I wish you could be with us to share in our fun.One day someone suggested that I write down some of the things we talk about on our tours through the Museum. I did, and this booklet, For Pebble Pups, is the result. It is especially written for young collectors (is there a boy or girl who doesn't like to collect rocks?) who can take only an imaginary tour with me through the rock and mineral halls

Theropod dinosaurs ruled the planet for millions of years, with species ranging from the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex to feathered raptors no bigger than turkeys. The Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: The Theropods is a stunningly illustrated guide packed with everything you could ever wish to know about theropods. This one-of-a-kind compendium features more than 3,000 records, covers some 750 theropod species, and includes a wealth of illustrations ranging from diagrams and technical drawings to full-colour reconstructions of specimens. The book is divided into sections that put numerous amazing theropod facts at your fingertips. 'Comparing Species' reveals detailed size comparisons, how long ago they lived, and when they were discovered. 'Mesozoic Calendar' shows the positions of the continents at different geological time periods and reconstructions of creatures from each period. 'Prehistoric Puzzle' compares bones, teeth, and feathers while 'Theropod Life' uses vivid, user-friendly graphics to answer questions such as which dinosaur was the smartest and which had the most powerful bite. Other sections chart theropod distribution on the contemporary world map, provide comprehensive illustrated listings of footprints, compile the physical specifications of all known theropods and Mesozoic birds, and much more.

Packed with fascinating facts, fun puzzles and games, and 100 reuseable stickers of butterflies, moths, and caterpillarsFeaturing images of actual butterflies from the unrivaled collections of the Natural History Museum, London, this colorful activity book is a child’s ideal introduction to the wonderful world of butterflies. The stickers are accompanied by informative sections on the behavior and habitats of butterflies, as well as details of their amazing life cycle. Young enthusiasts will discover how these fascinating creatures transform from chomping caterpillar to beautiful butterfly; learn some cool facts about what they eat and where they live; and test their butterfly knowledge in some great activities, including a spot-the-difference teaser and butterfly maze. Perfect for children who want to know more about these winged wonders, the book is fully checked and approved by the butterfly expert Blanca Huertas Hernandez, the curator of lepidoptera in the department of entomology at the Natural History Museum, London.

Britain’s monarch is back for another animal adventure as she and her lovable pet corgi Mr. Brown visit London’s Natural History Museum after hours In the dead of night, when all the visitors have left the Museum, the two friends go in search of the Queen’s secret passion—natural history. They encounter enormous woolly mammoths, giant dinosaurs, and a bone as big as the Queen. But it soon transpires that they are not alone in the Museum after all and they find out, at first hand, the unique talents of some of the wondrous creatures in the animal kingdom. When they display their own very, very special skills, the Queen and Mr Brown cause quite a stir among their new friends. Beautifully illustrated and affectionately told, the book is great to read aloud and is also highly suited to encourage children to read on their own. With lots of facts about the amazing abilities of animals, this is a delightful tale of two close friends and their eventful night at the Museum.